Ardeth Says ... take a trip out south

It's unbelievable the interesting country that exists so close to us. You really don't have to drive a hundred miles to see gorgeous hills, plateaus, bluffs and all sorts of animals.

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By Ardeth Sneath

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Ardeth Sneath

Posted Jun. 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM

By Ardeth Sneath
Posted Jun. 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM

Most area natives know about the beautiful south country. South and probably east of La Junta. It starts I'd say about 10 miles south on Highway 109 (that's probably as the crow flies). I forget to look at the speedometer or ask when I'm riding with other people to check the mileage.

It's unbelievable the interesting country that exists so close to us. You really don't have to drive a hundred miles to see gorgeous hills, plateaus, bluffs and all sorts of animals.

If newcomers are looking for someplace to take a Sunday afternoon drive -- head south from La Junta on Highway 109. When you get to the Higbee area there are a bunch of signs telling you names of folks who live down on that turn off. My first real venture to Higbee was several "moons" ago. The late Mrs. L.C. Ridennoure, who wrote a Higbee column for the Tribune-Democrat invited my husband, Bob and myself to "come down so she could take us on a ride on nine-mile road." (Now, as I recall that's the name of that road). What a gorgeous ride, seeing little farm areas, animals, etc.

So much for that! You can continue on 109 to see more country. This past Memorial Day weekend I was invited by Shorty and Hallie Schockey to take a venture down south and east. Shorty has a love of taking pictures in different settings. He has several that have been taken of very old farm houses, barns, etc.

For our trip on May 24, Shorty had already selected the area where he wanted to take some pictures of the moon coming up and the sun going down. This site was about 41 miles south and then east. We turned east at what I call the McCloy road (again lots of mail boxes).

The road was a little "bumpy," but so what. The scenery is heavenly. The small hills, the bluffs are outstanding. Then there's the cows wanting to camp in the road but they eventually move, some horses that run along side the fence, cute baby deer, dogs, cats, rabbits, and I'm sure I've missed something.

We finally reached the area Shorty had scoped out for getting his pictures. I think we'd been traveling on road JJ and turned onto FF. Maybe it was the other way around! You know like Scaff Bros. F & J. We drove a short way and stopped where Shorty wanted to set up for his pictures. Shorty was kind enough to chauffeur Hallie and myself. We rode in the second seat and enjoyed the scenery.

This was quite a trip. Shorty had prepared a picnic supper for us with special "drinks" and coffee and cookies for Ardeth, minus the whipped cream she usually wants on dessert.

You could see the sun starting to set in the west, another beautiful sight. The moon hadn't started coming up in the east but when it did it was between two clouds and looking unreal, a sight you wouldn't be able to see in town. There was also lots of lightning off in the east. Out on the plateau where we were situated it was so peaceful -- no wind (till we started to leave).

Page 2 of 2 - Folks who reside in cities would be shocked to take this journey. They wouldn't know what to think with no traffic, the smell of fresh air, and thinking you're the only person in this big wonderful country of ours.

It didn't take near as long to get home as when we were going. On the way home it was dark and besides we'd already seen the beauty.